The 22-year-old British soul sensation is the definite favorite to clean up on music’s biggest night, which goes down Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Smith is tied with Beyonce and Pharrell Williams for the most Grammy nods (six) and has a real chance to sweep the table. Most notably, he’s the only artist nominated in all four of the big general field categories — album, record and song of the year, plus best new artist.

Yet nothing is ever a completely safe bet on Grammy night, especially when it comes to the album of the year category. Voters have underscored that in recent years, rewarding underdog offerings from Herbie Hancock, Arcade Fire and Daft Punk over heavyweight contenders from Eminem, Kanye West, Amy Winehouse and others.

So will Smith live up the lofty expectations tonight? Or will an all-star tag team of, say, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Iggy Azalea keep him away from the podium? It’s tough to predict — but that won’t stop us from trying.

Here are our Grammy predictions in the big four categories:

Album of the Year

The Breakdown: For the third consecutive year, the Recording Academy has drawn a rather weak field to compete in what’s supposed to be its most prestigious category. That’s probably more an indictment of the album format — which continues to decline in significance — than a slam on voters.

Still, it’s hard to believe they couldn’t do better than this. The most complete album of the bunch is “Morning Phase,” yet it feels 10 to 15 years too late to hand this trophy to Beck. “Girl” boasts the omnipresent single “Happy,” then again, so does the “Despicable Me 2” soundtrack. Otherwise, Williams’ sophomore effort isn’t quite as memorable as his hats. “X” is a decent selection, but no better.

This really seems like a race between Smith and Beyonce. Smith’s album is the better of the two, but that apparently doesn’t carry a lot of weight in the Grammy galaxy. More importantly, voters might not be able to pass up the opportunity to anoint Smith as the new prince of the pop world. Debut albums don’t often win this category, but it’s easy to imagine the Recording Academy making an exception for “In the Lonely Hour.”

Then there’s longtime Grammy favorite Beyonce. She’s now the most-nominated woman in Grammy history, but she’s never won the big one. Is it time to correct that situation?

Prediction: “Beyonce”

Record of the Year

The Breakdown: Unlike the rather meh album of the year category, this one is absolutely loaded with excellent contenders. Sure, there’s one highly notable omission — Beyonce’s stunning “Drunk in Love” — but otherwise, it’s really hard to argue with this field. We’re truly living in a golden age for pop singles.

The amazing Swift once again has the best record in the race, yet it’s only a nose ahead of Trainor’s unbelievably catchy “All About That Bass.” The other two up-tempo offerings — “Fancy” and “Chandelier” — also should receive plenty of support.

Look for those four peppy pop tunes to split the vote, clearing the way for Smith’s big ballad.

The Breakdown: “Shake It Off” is the most deserving in the songwriters’ category, since it was indeed last year’s best song. Yet “All About That Bass” was the tune that had everyone talking (and singing and humming). Either one would be a superb choice, underscoring that a superbly written pop single is worth its weight in platinum.

“Chandelier” and “Take Me to Church” both fit the mold, but — unfortunately for Sia and Hozier — so does “Stay With Me.”

Prediction: “Stay With Me”

Best New Artist

Nominees: Iggy Azalea, Bastille, Brandy Clark, Haim, Sam Smith

The Breakdown: The list underscores just what a fascinating year it was for new artists. The sister-act Haim is an absolutely amazing pop-rock band, which is even better in concert than it is on record. Indie rockers Bastille could be headlining arenas before long. Then there’s Azalea, the hot and polarizing hip-hop star who already has her first arena tour scheduled. And don’t forget about acclaimed country singer-songwriter Clark, who should be a force in the industry for years to come.

All four of those artists are worthy contenders for the best new artist throne. But it will be absolutely shocking if any of those talents ends up winning.

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